§ The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. HARCOURT:
§ 31. To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that butchers refuse to enter the names of new customers in view of the recent Order limiting their supplies; whether he is aware that butchers with whom substantial custom has in the past been placed by an individual also refuse to accept orders unless the person comes within their definition of a regular customer, which adjective they appear to interpret in some cases as having dealt with one firm exclusively and uninterruptedly in large amounts; whether it is the wish of the Department that for war purposes consumers should register with a single butcher near their residences; and, if so, will he explain how persons who have changed their addresses in London or who have set up house in London for the first time are to get meat?
§ Mr. HARCOURTThis question was put down before the announcement was made in reference to meat.
Mr. PARKERThe Food Controller is aware that, owing to the present shortage, various difficulties of the kind indicated by the hon. Member have arisen in connection with the retail sale of meat. Under the rationing schemes now in preparation these difficulties should disappear. Customers will be given a reason- 1286 able liberty in their choice of retailers. Pending the introduction of the new scheme, persons who have changed their addresses in London should continue to draw their supplies from the butcher with whom they previously dealt; no special arrangements can be made for those who are setting up house in London for the first time.
§ Mr. HARCOURTDoes the hon. Member mean that all persons who have changed their address anywhere in the administrative county of London are to deal with the last butcher with whom they dealt and are to fetch the meat wherever they are situated? That affects a good many people.
Mr. PARKERI realise the difficulty, and I know that distance means a great deal, but I have made inquiries in regard to this matter, and I am assured that nothing further can be done at the moment.
§ Mr. HARCOURTDo the Department realise the fact that some persons may have given very substantial custom to their butcher a considerable time ago, but very small custom recently? I ask this question for the general convenience of the butchers and all concerned.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWho is to choose the meat when it is rationed—the butcher or the purchaser?
§ 32. Mr. GULLANDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in many towns Wednesday is the market day, on which country people come in to do their shopping for the week; and that, as Wednesday is a meatless day, it is now impossible for these people to buy any meat; and whether he will allow such towns to fix the meatless day on another than a market day?
Mr. PARKERThe restrictions imposed by the Public Meals Order only affect public eating-places. It is, therefore, still possible for people to purchase meat for household purposes. It would considerably lessen the economy of consumption 1287 sought to be effected by the Order if different towns were allowed to choose different days.